Burnett In Prime Position To Learn, Compete

For a rookie in his first week of professional football practices, safety Morgan Burnett couldn't ask for a better opportunity to show he belongs.

The third-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech is getting all his reps during the current organized team activities (OTAs) with the first-team defense alongside Pro Bowler Nick Collins.

No, the pads aren't on yet and the players are just in helmets and shorts, but for a young player who would love to follow Collins' career path - starting as a rookie and making two Pro Bowls in his first five seasons - taking snaps side-by-side with a polished pro isn't a bad way to learn.

"It's really an honor," Burnett said of being paired with Collins for OTAs. "He's a great athlete, a great smart player. Just watching him, asking him questions, (I'm) learning a lot from him, and that helps out a lot."

Because Atari Bigby has yet to sign his restricted free agent tender and Derrick Martin is out following ankle surger..